Dear Texas Leaders: A Letter from the Creative Community Against Anti-LGBT Legislation

In response to the many anti-LGBTQ in discussion in the Texas Senate, artists, actors, athletes and activists, including Miley, came together to speak out for equality. Read their letter below and add your name at TXTogether.org

Dear Texas Leaders,

Please know that the creative community is watching Texas, with love for all of its people and for its contributions to music, art, and culture. We love Texas and its people so much. Among us, we have played shows in towns and cities across the state. For many of us, playing live in Texas for the first time has been a life-altering experience. We are amazed by the culture and community of Texas.

We are deeply troubled by the current legislation that would target the LGBTQ community in Texas.

Texas Senate Bill 6 (SB6) would criminalize the simple act of a transgender person using the restroom – a denial of basic human dignity. Other legislation being considered in Texas would force teachers to out LGBTQ students to their parents – a violation of the trust built between kids and educators. Still more bills in the works would strip Texas cities of their LGBTQ-inclusive nondiscrimination protections or nullify marriage equality. Bills like these are poison, a barrier between Texas and its future.

Transgender and gender non-conforming young people are already subjected to bullying and harassment. Can you imagine the message these bills send to children – the message of “that child is different, that child is dangerous”? Transgender and gender non-conforming young people also already face higher rates of family rejection and homelessness, mental health issues and suicidality, and they already find it more difficult to find work and housing. How much more can you punish them for living honestly and openly? Keep in mind that these kids are some of the bravest and wisest young leaders that we have.

It is up to you whether these bills will become law, and we are watching. It is up to us to commit to doing everything within our power to make sure all of our fans, crew, and fellow musicians feel safe and welcome at our shows.

Artistic expression has always been a political act, and some of the most venerated artists in our history have put themselves on the line to defend freedom, to speak for marginalized groups, and to take a stand against injustice. We humbly add our names to that proud tradition today, in asking you to end the needless targeting of LGBTQ people in Texas.